Seeing That Frees: Meditations on Emptiness and Dependent Arising

(It can be particularly helpful to feel the quality of strength filling the lower belly and the legs.)

the Buddha pointed out that all this dukkha has craving and clinging as a cause.1 This, we could say, is the short version of the Second Noble Truth.

Noticing their arising, however, the mindfulness – supported by the intention of staying at contact

even as it is happening we know not to trust the web that is being spun.

Often what we find when we look, however, is not just one but actually a whole complex of emotions present.

At times, therefore, when we feel the contraction of dukkha around some thing, it can be powerfully helpful to ask:

If it seems that emotions such as grief or sadness need more attention and care in the present, is it possible to do that without neglecting the sense of freedom and strength?

Oftentimes just remaining lightly, delicately open and sensitive to the whole body in this way begins to reveal a subtle pleasantness to the way the space of the body feels. It can be extremely helpful to learn to ‘tune into’ this, and to enjoy it.

Hopefully too we are cultivating kindness in our attitude to our mind, and also gently erasing the habit of judging ourselves.